Mankato Child Sex Crime Attorney
No crime is more heinous or painful as a sex crime against a child. Minnesota law enforces strict penalties for abusers who perpetrate these crimes, including fines and jail time. While these penalties provide a sense of justice to the survivors, they do little to help victims of child sex crimes recover from their injuries.
If you or a loved one were the victim of a child sex crime, the attorneys at Knutson + Casey can help you obtain further justice through a criminal defense lawsuit. With these claims, you can claim compensation for emotional damages, medical expenses, and more.
Experienced Child Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys
- At Knutson + Casey, our attorneys are extremely experienced in all areas of personal injury law. We have helped thousands of clients with their claims since 1992.
- We balance the resources of a big firm with the personalized attention and care of a small firm. We maintain open communication from start to finish.
- We operate on a contingency fee basis for maximum affordability. You do not have to pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
Minnesota Child Sex Crime Laws
In the state of Minnesota, child sex crimes are particularly severe. The state defines sexual abuse as any act that subjects a child to criminal sexual conduct. The abuser can be a caregiver, have a significant relationship to the child, or be an authority figure, such as a teacher or coach. Threatened sexual abuse is also a child sex crime in Minnesota. These crimes can range in severity with different criminal charges attached to each degree.
- 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct may involve sexual penetration of a child, but the court does not view it as severe as a higher charge. Abusers can receive 15 years in prison or fines up to $30,000.
- 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct may involve sexual contact without penetration. This charge involves violence or the threat of violence, a very young victim, and a lack of consent. Abusers can receive up to 25 years in prison, fines up to $35,000, or both.
- 1st degree criminal sexual conduct is the highest child sex crime charge. Anyone who the court finds engages in sexual penetration with, or sexual contact with a child under the age of 13 could receive this charge. Abusers can receive a sentence of up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $40,000.
Can You File a Lawsuit and Criminal Charges Against an Abuser?
Even if the abuser is already serving jail time or paid a fine for the sexual abuse, you can still hold him or her accountable in a personal injury lawsuit. Criminal charges and civil charges are two different forms of justice. You press criminal charges against an abuser and take him or her to criminal court, where the jury will impose penalties that are meant to punish the abuser directly. Criminal charges are not directly meant to provide restitution to the survivor. However, when you file a personal injury lawsuit, the claim goes through Minnesota civil court. The monetary damages you receive at the conclusion of a personal injury lawsuit are meant to aid in your recovery directly.
Potential Damages in Minnesota Child Sex Crime Lawsuits
In a Minnesota personal injury lawsuit, you can claim various forms of compensation for damages related to the child sex crime. These damages can include tangible damages, such as therapy expenses, medical care costs, and lost wages. You can also claim intangible damages, such as emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other forms of pain and suffering. The courts can also award punitive damages for especially reckless or dangerous behavior.
Are you or your child looking to file a personal injury lawsuit for child sex crimes? Knutson + Casey can help. Our attorneys have the resources and experience necessary to fight for the compensation you need to recover. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation at our Mankato, Minnesota offices.
Contact Our Mankato Child Sex Crimes Lawyers Today.
Child sex crime charges can have a significant impact upon your freedom, relationships, and the rest of your life. To contest these charges, you will need to hire an experienced Mankato criminal defense lawyer from Knutson + Casey to represent your case. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation at our Mankato offices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Sex Crime in Mankato, MN
When should I hire a child sex crime lawyer in Mankato, MN?
Whenever you or someone in your family has been injured from a child sex crime.
What offenses are considered a child sex crime in Mankato, MN?
- Sexual penetration or sexual contact of a child under the age of 13 and a defendant who is 3 or more years older (1st degree)
- Sexual penetration or sexual contact of a child who is at least 13 years old but under 16 by a defendant who is 4 or more years older and is in a position of authority (2nd degree)
- Sexual penetration with child under 13 and defendant is not more than 3 years older (3rd degree)
- Sexual penetration of a child over 13 but under 16 when defendant is more than 2 years older (3rd degree)
- Sexual penetration with a child who is at least 16 but under 18 and defendant is in a position of authority and more than 4 years older (3rd degree)
What is the Statute of Limitations for child sex crime in Minnesota?
- Must be commenced before the plaintiff is 24 years of age in a claim against a natural person alleged to have sexually abused a minor when that natural person was under 14 years of age
- May be commenced at any time in the case of alleged sexual abuse of an individual under the age of 18
- A claim for vicarious liability or liability under the doctrine of respondeat superior must be commenced within six years of the alleged sexual abuse, provided that if the plaintiff was under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged abuse, the claim must be commenced before the plaintiff is 24 years of age
- Minn. Stat. 541.073
